Jojo | Goldendoodle | Los Angeles, CA | In- Training
- priscillakhoroffle
- Mar 5
- 13 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Meet Jojo! This six-month-old Goldendoodle from Los Angeles has joined our Two-Week Board and Train Program to work on his manners and build confidence. Jojo is a sweet and playful pup, but he has a few habits that need fine-tuning. He tends to get overly excited on walks, has trouble being alone, and is still working on potty training. While he already knows some basic commands like "sit" and "place," he needs consistency and reinforcement to master them. Over the next two weeks, we'll be focusing on teaching Jojo to walk politely on a leash, reinforce his basic obedience, gain more independence, and improve his house-training skills. Stay tuned for Jojo's two-week transformation!
Pupdate 3/5/25
Jojo’s training journey kicked off today, and he definitely brought the energy! We picked him up at the park, where he was curious, excited, and ready to play with other dogs. Once we got home, he had a little more time to run around with my dog, Pancake, which helped take the edge off before we got to work.
The first big milestone of the day was introducing the e-collar, and Jojo caught on fast. He’s a sharp little guy and understood the concept quickly. We worked on “come to sit,” but he had a habit of wanting to sit beside or behind me instead of right in front. With a little guidance, he started figuring it out. We translated that into helping him hold his sits a little longer, as well as holding it when I moved away. We also introduced “place,” which he was hesitant about at first, but after a few successful reps, we called it a win and moved on.
About 20 minutes in, I could tell his brain was starting to tire out—his responses got slower, and he was ready for a break. At some point, he also had a potty accident inside—no warning, just stopped and went—so house training is high on the list of things to work on. After all that effort, Jojo was wiped out, and we wrapped up the day with some well-earned couch cuddles. He was calm, happy, and ready to recharge for another big day tomorrow. Stay tuned for more of Jojo’s progress!
Pupdate 3/6/25
Jojo had another big day of learning and progress! He slept through the night like a champ—no accidents, no fuss, just solid rest. Today, we started him on a strict schedule to track his potty breaks, meals, and training sessions, helping him establish a predictable routine. And it’s already paying off! After breakfast, instead of just going wherever, Jojo stood by the door to signal that he needed to go out—a huge win for potty training!
For training, we focused heavily on "place," especially with dog distractions. At first, it took him a few tries to understand that even with his dog friends around, he was still expected to follow through. But once it clicked, he did great! We also took training to the pier, working on placing on taller objects to build his confidence. While we were there, I introduced "heel" to help Jojo navigate the busy area safely and without tangling up everyone in his leash.
After all that hard work, Jojo was wiped out. But while he was physically tired, he struggled to settle down at home when he wasn’t in the same room as me—something we’ll be working on a lot moving forward. Overall, a fantastic day with some major progress. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! Stay tuned for more of Jojo’s journey!
Pupdate 3/7/25
Jojo is making big strides in his training! Once again, he gave a clear signal when he needed to go outside—he’s starting to build a solid routine and usually needs a potty break about an hour and a half after meals.
For training, we took a trip to Home Depot, specifically the garden section, to work on “place” on different textures. He got to experience everything from concrete to plastic, and he handled it well! We also practiced “heel” up and down the aisles, making sure he stayed focused even with customers walking around. His ability to hold commands in a busy environment is improving, and he’s getting more confident every day.
Back at home, Jojo showed some major impulse control by staying in “place” for 30 minutes—even when Pancake tried to tempt him into playtime! He also rested in his crate in a separate room without a fuss, which is a huge step in building his independence. However, when I put him in “place” in an open area and left the room, he started to cry. It’s clear that being alone in open spaces is a challenge for him, so we’ll be working on that moving forward.
We also introduced food manners today by practicing “leave it” with food on the ground and reinforcing that he only eats when released. He’s learning that patience pays off! Another great day for Jojo—excited to keep pushing forward. Stay tuned for more progress!
Pupdate 3/8/25
Jojo is making steady progress every day! Today, we focused on his “heel” around the neighborhood. At first, he was easily distracted by all the tempting smells in the grass and dirt, but we worked on shifting his focus back to me instead of his surroundings. He’s learning that paying attention makes the walk much smoother!
We also worked on his stability in “sit” and “down” with everyday distractions like passing cars and people walking by. He held his commands really well, and the only hiccup came when I moved away too quickly, which caused a little confusion. With more practice, he’ll build even more confidence staying in position.
Speaking of confidence, Jojo has improved so much with getting into the car! A few days ago, he hesitated, but now he’s jumping up with ease. To finish off the day, we worked on his extended “place” while I had lunch. He’s learning that settling down and waiting patiently is just as important as active training.
Another great day for Jojo—excited to see how he continues to improve! Stay tuned for more updates!
Pupdate 3/9/25
Jojo had another great day of training and big wins in his potty training progress! This morning, I intentionally didn’t initiate a potty break to see what he would do. Instead of just waiting or having an accident, Jojo came up with his own way to signal—he booped my leg, looked toward the door, and let out a little whine. That was his way of telling me he needed to go out, and of course, I immediately rewarded that signal by taking him outside. This is a huge step in the right direction!
Throughout the day, we continued working on his “come to sit,” focusing on getting him to sit directly in front of me rather than beside or behind me. We practiced both on and off-leash, inside and outside the house, reinforcing that no matter where we are, the expectation is the same.
Potty signals are still a work in progress, but Jojo is getting more consistent. He’s starting to sniff around the door or come sit next to me when he needs to go, which is a great improvement. With more reinforcement, those signals will get even clearer.
Jojo is making steady progress every day, and I’m excited to keep building on what he’s learning. Stay tuned for more updates!
Pupdate 3/10/25
Jojo has been making incredible progress, especially in his off-leash training and potty signals!
His potty training is coming along well—he’s consistently going to the door when he needs to go out. To reinforce this, I’ve been having him sit before I open the door, helping him associate sitting at the door as part of his potty signal. With more consistency, this will become his clear way of asking to go outside.
Off-leash training has been a big focus, and today Jojo took a huge step forward. We started by fine-tuning his off-leash heel, which at first was tricky for him. He was put off by the long line dragging between his legs, so I switched to a lighter leash before transitioning to a completely leash-free heel. Once I removed the leash and used my hand to guide him into position, things clicked! He started understanding that “heel” means following my leg, not relying on the leash. There was a moment of confusion when he ran into his “place” command in the middle of heeling, but with encouragement, he got back into position and we ended the session on a strong note.
To put his skills to the test, we headed to the park for an off-leash session. Since it wasn’t too busy, we worked on all of his commands, and he crushed it! His heel was solid as we walked up and down the sidewalks, and he held his sit and down even at longer distances. His “come to sit” has also become very reliable—no hesitation, even when starting from farther away.
Jojo is gaining so much confidence and understanding in his training. He’s proving every day that he’s a smart, capable pup, and I can’t wait to see how much more he accomplishes! Stay tuned for more of Jojo’s journey!
Pupdate 3/11/25
Jojo has been making huge strides in his training, especially with his potty signals and off-leash obedience!
His potty training is becoming more consistent—he now clearly signals at the door when he needs to go out. While he hasn’t quite connected that I want him to sit as part of his signal, his cues are unmistakable. Today, I added a new challenge by redirecting him to a different door before taking him out. This helped reinforce that I wasn’t ignoring his request while also building his ability to walk longer distances without having an accident. On top of that, his door manners are excellent! Every time we go outside, he patiently waits for my release before stepping through the doorway.
For his obedience training, we took a big step today—Jojo went to the mall to practice off-leash work in a high-distraction environment. He followed through beautifully, staying engaged even with the hustle and bustle around him. He was a little distracted by passing traffic and especially curious about children, so I made sure to take extra caution in those situations. One of his biggest wins was his greeting manners! Even in his excitement to meet a stranger, Jojo held his sit and stayed by my side the entire conversation.
Every day, Jojo is proving how much he’s capable of. His confidence is growing, and he’s handling new challenges with more focus and control. Can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next—stay tuned for more of Jojo’s journey!
Pupdate 3/12/25
Jojo is making steady progress, especially with his potty routine and off-leash obedience in distracting environments!
His potty training is becoming more predictable. I’ve noticed that he consistently needs to poop about an hour and a half after eating and expects to be taken out around that time. While he can hold it overnight and in the crate, he’s still learning to wait during the day. To help him understand that potty breaks are scheduled, I’ve been reinforcing a predictable routine and using both the crate and place command to prevent accidents. Jojo shines the most when he follows a structured schedule—he’s smart and knows to rely on me to take him out!
For obedience, Jojo has been handling distractions incredibly well. We took another trip to the mall, but this time with a doggy distraction. Even with a friend around, Jojo stayed focused and followed through on all of his commands. His heel and place were solid throughout the mall, proving that he understands these commands no matter the environment. He’s also improving in his greeting manners and staying by my side even in busy areas.
Jojo continues to build confidence every day, and his ability to work through distractions is impressive. He’s learning to trust the schedule, stay engaged in new environments, and rely on his training. Can’t wait to see what else he accomplishes—stay tuned for more of Jojo’s journey!
Pupdate 3/13/25
Jojo had a fantastic day of training and is showing great progress! One of his biggest wins was sitting at the door to signal for a potty break—this is the clearest signal he’s given yet, and it shows that he’s understanding the routine.
We also took a trip to several stores, where we focused on tightening up his heel. At first, he was giving me a looser position, but with practice, he learned to walk much closer to my side. He also had to navigate through crowds and resist the temptation of sniffing strangers who couldn’t help but admire him. Jojo did a great job staying focused!
Inside each store, we worked on place, sit, and down, and he followed through beautifully. Another big achievement today was his car manners—Jojo now confidently loads into his crate when I say “up,” knowing exactly what’s expected of him.
He’s proving to be a smart and eager learner, and his progress is shining through in every session. Stay tuned for more of Jojo’s journey!
Pupdate 3/14/25
Jojo had an amazing day today, showing just how much progress he’s made in his training! We went over all of his manners back-to-back, and he was rock solid—he confidently waited for his release word before eating his food and patiently held his door manners while I got ready to head out.
At Lowe’s, Jojo’s heel was nearly perfect. He stayed right by my side as we moved through the store, and his stability in down and place was impressive. Even when I created distractions by moving around and making noise, he held his commands without breaking! His greeting manners were also on point—while he was clearly excited to meet new people, he held his sit and waited for permission before engaging.
A funny observation today—Jojo seems to prefer doing his business right outside of stores, which is actually great for preventing accidents inside. He’s learning to be reliable in all environments, and his confidence continues to grow. Stay tuned for more updates on Jojo’s journey!
Pupdate 3/15/25
Jojo continues to impress with his steady progress and confidence in public spaces! Today, we took on a new challenge by visiting a very busy bakery, and he handled it like a pro. With the hustle and bustle of people chatting, the smell of fresh pastries in the air, and plenty of movement all around him, Jojo remained calm and composed. He patiently waited in line with me, sitting or lying down as needed, never getting restless or distracted. His ability to hold his commands in a high-energy environment shows just how reliable he’s becoming.
After our stop at the bakery, we explored the city together, walking past numerous shops and weaving through busy sidewalks. The noise of honking cars, chatter from passing pedestrians, and the occasional rumble of a skateboard rolling by didn’t phase him at all. He stayed completely engaged with me, proving that he’s growing more confident in handling urban distractions. We focused a lot on his off-leash heel today, ensuring that he stayed close by my side without wandering. At first, he was a little loose in his positioning, but after some reminders, he locked into a much more consistent heel. I could feel him checking in with me, staying aware of my movements instead of getting caught up in the environment around him.
One thing I’ve been paying close attention to is Jojo’s tendency to sniff strangers as they walk past. Today, we worked specifically on maintaining his focus and resisting the urge to check out every new person we encountered. He made fantastic progress, keeping his nose to himself and staying in position instead of drifting toward passing pedestrians. However, when we intentionally stopped for introductions, Jojo was a perfect gentleman. He sat politely, tail wagging but body controlled, and allowed people to pet him without breaking his manners. It’s clear that he enjoys meeting new people, but he’s also learning that there’s a right time and place for it.
Jojo’s reliability in public settings is becoming more and more solid. Whether it’s waiting patiently in a crowded bakery, maneuvering busy streets, or greeting strangers with manners, he continues to prove that he’s well on his way to being a well-mannered and adaptable companion.
Pupdate 3/16/25
Jojo had a fantastic day filled with big distractions, new places, and continued success with his training! This morning, he clearly signaled when he needed a potty break by circling the door and whining—his communication skills keep improving, and it’s great to see him actively letting us know when he needs to go outside.
Later, we took a trip to the train station to work on his confidence around loud noises and sudden movement. Trains can be overwhelming for a lot of dogs, but Jojo handled the environment like a pro! He remained calm and focused, showing no fear even as trains rumbled by. From there, we went sightseeing in an old town, where he looked incredibly handsome sitting by an old clock—definitely a picture-perfect moment!
Jojo’s confidence was on full display as we strolled through town together. He stayed right by my side, navigating through crowds and passing cars without hesitation. His off-leash heel continues to impress, and despite all the distractions, he remained reliable in his commands. When we stopped to greet people, Jojo was excited but polite, holding his sit and waiting patiently for attention.
Jojo is proving to be a dog that can go anywhere and handle anything. His ability to settle in public spaces, hold his commands, and navigate busy environments makes him an absolute joy to take on these outings. Every day, he’s becoming more polished, more confident, and more prepared to be the best adventure buddy!
Pupdate 3/17/25
Jojo had another great day full of training and new experiences! He continues to show clear signals when asking for a potty break, circling near the door and whining until we let him out. His communication is getting stronger every day, and it’s great to see him becoming more reliable in this area.
For training, we took a trip to the pier, where we worked on all of his obedience commands, focusing especially on his stability in sit and down with busy traffic passing by. He did very well, holding his commands even with distractions all around him. However, by the end of the session, he started to get tired and had a little trouble maintaining his sit.
Jojo also had the opportunity to meet several strangers at the pier, and he was wonderful with his greeting manners. He held his commands as people pet him and remained calm and friendly throughout. His off-leash obedience was solid in the busy environment, though I did notice that when he’s nervous or tired, he has a habit of finding people to sit next to.
Overall, Jojo was an absolute star today! He handled the busy pier environment like a pro, staying both friendly and obedient throughout our outing.
Pupdate 3/18/25
On Jojo’s last full day with me, we made sure to make it a special one! We visited the pier one last time, where he showed off just how much progress he’s made. His extended sit was solid, and his heel was as sharp as ever, even with all the distractions of people and dogs passing by. He remained well-mannered and confident, proving that he can handle busy environments with ease.
After our training session, we headed to the park for some well-earned fun. Jojo had a blast running around and enjoying the open space, soaking up every moment of playtime.
Tomorrow, Jojo heads home, and while I’ll miss him, I couldn’t be prouder of the well-mannered, affectionate, and incredibly smart pup he’s become. He’s been the most cuddly, sweet-natured companion, and I know he’s going to be an amazing dog for his family.
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